The Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2026 (SI 2026/817) introduce significant reforms to the structure of the High Court, effective from 1 October 2026.

These reforms include the replacement of the Chancery Division with a new Business and Property Division (BPD) with the aim of modernising the High Court.
The President of the BPD will lead this division, with Sir Colin Birss LJ appointed as the first President.

The reforms create a single constitutional Business and Property Division (BPD) within the High Court, merging the Commercial Court, Admiralty Court, Technology and Construction Court, Circuit Commercial Courts and former Chancery specialist lists into one divisional structure.

For practitioners, the main practical effect is a change in court names, terminology and procedural references: precedents, templates, pleadings, correspondence and internal guidance will need updating to refer to the BPD and its specialist lists. The President of the BPD also replaces the Chancellor of the High Court as the relevant judicial authority in the Civil Procedure Rules.

Importantly, the reforms should not disrupt existing litigation. Proceedings already issued or transferred to the affected courts before commencement will automatically continue as proceedings in the appropriate BPD court or list, with no need to refile or transfer them.

Practitioners will, however, need to pay close attention to the new Practice Directions – 57A and 57AA, which will govern where new BPD proceedings should be started and the allocation between London, BPD District Registries and the County Court. Orders should be monitored separately to ensure that filings made around the transition date use the correct terminology and forum.

Overall, the reforms are intended to simplify the institutional structure while leaving the specialist lists and their distinct procedural practices largely intact.

Anna Lockyer is a Senior Associate in the Costs and Litigation Funding Department at Clarion Solicitors. You can contact the team at civilandcommercialcosts@clarionsolicitors.com.